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Three new safeTALK sessions will be held in Willmar, Mankato and St. Cloud.

November 7, 2019

1 Min Read
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NOT ALONE: Two Minnesota agencies are offering free seminars for people interesting in learning how to intervene when someone is thinking of suicide.Paula Mohr

Due to high demand, the Minnesota departments of agriculture and health are adding more dates and locations to their free safeTALK suicide prevention seminars.

New sessions are:

  • Dec 12 — Willmar

  • Dec 13 — Mankato

  • Jan 22 — St. Cloud (Waite Park)

Remaining sessions previously scheduled are:

  • Nov 20 — Faribault

  • Nov 21 — Austin

  • Dec 3 — Marshall

  • Dec 4 — St. Cloud (Waite Park)

The free half-day safeTALK training is designed to help people build the skills they need to offer help for those who are thinking of suicide. The training teaches participants how to recognize someone having thoughts of suicide, how to engage them and how to make sure they get help.

Organizers say the training is effective for people as young as 15 years old.

Farmers, lenders, mediators, agency staff, clergy, educators, veterinarians, health care and social service providers, agricultural advisors, and business people are all invited to attend.

"Unfortunately, farming communities experience more than their share of suicide,” says Thom Petersen, MDA commissioner. “We want people to know what they can do to help when they see warning signs.”

The trainings run 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and require preregistration. Enrollment is limited at each session to 30 participants.

Source: MDA, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.

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